Yes, Rocky Can Buy That Drink on City's Dime
If you spy Rocky Anderson buying alcoholic drinks - and paying with his city credit card - this weekend at the Salt Lake City International Jazz Festival, rest assured: It's legal.
Anderson is allowed to buy booze while on city business since he changed city policy last year. And it was the fun he had at the 2005 Jazz Festival that prompted the policy shift.
If you recall, Anderson charged the city $457.88 for alcohol and food at the Grand America. He was entertaining three mayors and their spouses from Louisiana, California and Georgia, along with some of his friends. The mayors were in town for an environmental conference, which coincided with the start of the city's International Jazz Festival. Anderson also paid $175.86 for food and drinks at Squatters Brewery during the jazz festival.
After the tabs came to light, Anderson removed the city's prohibition on spending taxpayer money on alcohol. (He also reimbursed the city for the Grand America bill.)
The new policy doesn't mention alcohol, but does say legitimate expenses include "reasonable food and refreshments for meetings related to city business and events with invited guests."
Want to see for yourself if the mayor's expenditures are "reasonable"? You can check out what Anderson - and everyone else at City Hall - charged by clicking on the "Expenditure Disclosure System" on the city's Web site: http://www.slcgov.com
A caveat: There's not a lot of detail. For example, you'll see Anderson's chief of staff spent $240 on meals for at least six people for Police Chief Rick Dinse's retirement, but you won't find out what they ate - or drank.
Heather May
Anderson is allowed to buy booze while on city business since he changed city policy last year. And it was the fun he had at the 2005 Jazz Festival that prompted the policy shift.
If you recall, Anderson charged the city $457.88 for alcohol and food at the Grand America. He was entertaining three mayors and their spouses from Louisiana, California and Georgia, along with some of his friends. The mayors were in town for an environmental conference, which coincided with the start of the city's International Jazz Festival. Anderson also paid $175.86 for food and drinks at Squatters Brewery during the jazz festival.
After the tabs came to light, Anderson removed the city's prohibition on spending taxpayer money on alcohol. (He also reimbursed the city for the Grand America bill.)
The new policy doesn't mention alcohol, but does say legitimate expenses include "reasonable food and refreshments for meetings related to city business and events with invited guests."
Want to see for yourself if the mayor's expenditures are "reasonable"? You can check out what Anderson - and everyone else at City Hall - charged by clicking on the "Expenditure Disclosure System" on the city's Web site: http://www.slcgov.com
A caveat: There's not a lot of detail. For example, you'll see Anderson's chief of staff spent $240 on meals for at least six people for Police Chief Rick Dinse's retirement, but you won't find out what they ate - or drank.
Heather May
12:54 PM
| 
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home